Sun Belt Network Affiliate Information
The Western Kentucky University women's basketball team puts a four-game winning streak on the line Sunday at 2 p.m. (CST) when Middle Tennessee visits E.A. Diddle Arena. Sunday's showdown will be televised on the Sun Belt Network, and be seen on Comcast Sports Southeast, as well as the HIlltopper Sports Satellite Network. The game has also been designated as a "Red Out". All fans are encouraged to wear red, and the first 500 fans will receive free red Russell t-shirts.
- Sunday's game marks the beginning of a three-game homestand for WKU to close out the month of January. It will be the longest stretch of consecutive home games for the Lady Toppers this season.
- The Lady Toppers are on a season-long four-game winning streak after Wednesday's victory at Troy. That includes three straight wins over Sun Belt East Division opponents that have moved them within one game of first place in the loss column in the division. At 5-2 in the league, WKU is just behind the first-place tie between South Alabama and Middle Tennessee, which both sit at 7-1.
- Sunday's game also marks the start of the second round of games for WKU against the SBC East. It went 3-2 against the division the first time around - winning the last three games. Three of the next five games against its fellow teams in the division will be played at Diddle Arena.
Back Home Again - Sunday's game marks the start of WKU's longest homestand of the season, closing out the month of January with three straight at Diddle Arena. The Lady Toppers are 6-2 at home this season, including a perfect 3-0 in Sun Belt games. In those three league wins, WKU has won by an average of 14 points per game, and have shot better than 40 percent from the floor in the last two contests.
Brown Big Against Troy - Coming off back-to-back double-doubles last week against Florida Atlantic and FIU, senior Arnika Brown posted a season-high 18 points to go along with nine boards Wednesday at Troy. Over her last three contests, Brown 16.3 points and 12.7 rebounds per contest, upping her season averaged to 10.8 points and 10.7 rebounds. This also marks the first time all season that Brown has reached double-digit points in three consecutive games. She posted one of her eight double-doubles this season in the first meeting with MTSU, scoring 10 points and pulling down 10 boards last month in Murfreesboro.
Owens Owning Glass Once Again - Brown has not been the only consistent rebounder for the Lady Toppers as of late. Sophomore LaTeira Owens continues to provide a spark off the bench on both ends of the floor. She ripped down a career-high 13 rebounds to lead all players on the glass Wednesday at Troy. It was the second time this season she has finished with double-figure rebounds as she pulled down 12 to go along with 20 points against Louisiana-Lafayette. In the last three games, she is averaging 10 rebounds per contest, and in Sun Belt Conference games is averaging 7.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per contest.
McNear's Dramatics Continue - Not only did junior guard Amy McNear score in double figures for the third straight game with her 13 points at Troy, she also gave WKU a spark right before the half by hitting a 35-foot buzzer beater to send WKU to the locker room with a three-point lead. Clutch shots are nothing new for McNear, as last season she knocked down four game-winning or game-tying shots at the end of games for WKU. The shot on Wednesday was also her first made three pointer of the year in nine attempts.
Clutch At The Line - While WKU's overall free-throw percentage sits near the bottom of the Sun Belt, it has been very productive at the line in the second half of games lately. In the last three games, the Lady Toppers are a combined 38-for-46 from the charity stripe in the second half - that's 82.6 percent shooting. They are also averaging 15.3 attempts at the line in the final 20 minutes of play. WKU was extremely clutch Wednesday night at Troy, connecting on 10-of-11 free throws in the second half to secure its fourth-straight win.
On a Roll Since Last Meeting - Since their last game back on Dec. 20, both WKU and MTSU have rattled off pretty impressive records. In fact, the two teams are a combined 13-3 since facing off against each other last month.
